Finding the Percent of a number


To find the percent of a number it is a combination of more than one mental math strategy. First you need to think of the percent as a decimal, and then use your knowledge of multiplying by tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc. You also need to remember that to multiply is also to find groups of, so instead of saying "times" we will say "of". Lets look at an example:

12% x 230

1st

Re-write 12% of 230

2nd

Think of 12% as 10% + 1% + 1%

3rd change to decimals

0.1 + 0.01 +0.01

4th Multiply the decimals by the number

0.1 x 230 = 23 + 0.1 x 230 = 2.3 + 0.1 x 230 = 2.3

5th Add the parts together

23 + 2.3 + 2.3 = 27.6

12% of 230 = 27.6